This year we would like to use this blog and an accompanying wiki to introduce tools that may be new to some of you and to use the wiki to warehouse and categorize tools for easy reference.

As we begin the new year, one of the tools we all have at our disposal is the Google Chrome browser. Aside from the routine aspects of a web browser, Chrome also allows you to add extensions and apps. For those of you who attended the PD on this last spring, some of this will be a review. (Slides from PD)

What is an app? What is an extension? Why should I care? Very basically, apps are just websites and extensions add functionality to your browser.

Which extensions do our students have access to on school owned devices (which gives them access on all other devices when signed into their school account) ? And what do these extensions do to help both teachers and students learn, create and collaborate? We have chosen a selection of extensions which can help students collaborate, assist struggling readers and writers, help organize students and more. Do all learners need all of these- No. Try them out, see what works best for you, your students. If you have other chrome extensions or apps that you would like added, let us know. Mike can add them for us.

Chrome Extensions and Apps for students

These are the extensions and apps currently available to HA and HES students when they are logged into a chrome browser with their school email address. Note: this is a separate log in from logging into a computer or logging onto the gmail/drive accounts. Look for :Log into Chrome".

BeeLIne Reader

BeeLine's color gradient makes reading faster/easier for over 90% of people

Black Menu for Google

The easiest access to the Google universe

Clearly

Clearly makes blog posts, articles and webpages clean and easy to read. Save them to Evernote to read anywhere.

Data Saver

Reduces data usage by using Google servers to optimize pages you visit.

Evernote

Use the Evernote extension to save things you see on the web into your Evernote account.

Extensity

Quickly enable/disable Google Chrome extensions

Google Drive

Google Drive: create, share and keep all your stuff in one place.

Fluency Tutor

Fluency Tutor™ for Google is an easy-to-use reading and assessment tool that helps busy teachers support struggling readers.

One Tab

Pulls all open tabs into one tab- can be saved and shared. Save up to 95% memory.

Read & Write for Google

Boost reading and writing confidence. Offer support for Google Docs/web to students with learning difficulties, dyslexia or ELL/ESL.

Save to Google Drive

Save web content or screen capture directly to Google Drive.

Screencastify

Screencastify is a simple video screen capture software for Chrome.

Skimzee

Skimzee is a free web app that combines web page summarization with social media search and web feed aggregation.

SnagIt

Screen capture, screen recording, image editing, and sharing. Collaborate and show what you know.

SpeakIt

Tired of reading? Select text you want to read and listen to it. SpeakIt converts text into speech so you no longer need to read.

SpeedDial2

Speed dial 2 is ultimate replacement of new tab page with quick access to your most visited pages, bookmarks and browsing history.